A Midsummer Night's Dream delights audiences

A local production of A Midsummer Night's Dream went down a treat last week as part of the Backwater Valley Opera Festival.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary year, Ireland’s leading summer opera festival ran for eight days and featured world-class performances and dining experiences.

They took place in historic homes and venues in Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan, and Castlemartyr.

The festival also features programmes that brought opera and classical music to new audiences.

One of the major highlights of the 2025 festival programme was Benjamin Britten's, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

There were four performances of the celebrated work staged in the majestic grounds of Lismore Castle.

This was the first time in the festival's history that a 20th-century opera took centre stage.

The opera brought to life a tale of magic, mischief, romance, and comedy, centred on the quarrel between Fairy-King Oberon and Queen Titania.

Featuring an all-Irish cast of performers, under the direction of Tony Award-winning, Patrick Mason, the production brought together the Irish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy, and the Children’s Chorus, including young voices from Piccolo Lasso and the BVOF Discover Singing Education Programme.

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has evolved from a 2010 pop-up event into an established flagship festival for Waterford attracting thousands of visitors each year.

The festival celebrates opera, classical music events, and dining at stunning venues including Lismore Castle and the semi-restored Dromore Yard.

Over 100 performers got involved across 23 events at 12 venues during the festival.